To prepare for this study, please read the Women in Christ commentary Mary of Magdala.
 

Part I The Example of Mary of Magdala (Mary Magdalene)

1. Luke 8:1-3; 23:49; Matthew 27:55-56; John 19:25; Luke 23:55-56 Why did Mary follow Jesus?
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

2. Matthew 27:57-61; Mark 15:42-47; Mark 16:1; Luke 23:50-56; John 19:38-40, The Bible does not record every action or word of Jesus or every event within his life. (John 21:25) Why do you think the Gospel writers were inspired to include the activities of the women disciples of Jesus including Mary Magdalene? What significance do you see in the Bible’s account of women as eyewitnesses to the crucifixion, death, and burial of Jesus?
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

3. Matthew 28:1-10; Mark 16:2-10; Luke 24:1-8; John 20:1 What did it take to persuade these women that Jesus had risen from the dead?
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

4. Matthew 28:7; Mark 16:9-10; Luke 24:9-11; John 20:2 What did it take to persuade these women to tell the eleven disciples of Jesus what they had seen and heard? How did those disciples react? 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

5. Luke 24:12; John 20:3-10 Why do you think Jesus appeared to the women first, but waited to appear to the men? Can you think of any reasons why Jesus used such a round-a-bout way to announce his resurrection? Why not just get everybody together in one place and convince them all at one time? 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

6. John 20:10-18 What does the appearance and words of Jesus to Mary reveal about the character and personality of God? (John 14:8-10)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Part II Stop Doubting and Believe

1. John 20:24-31 Is Thomas’s reaction unreasonable? How did Jesus respond to his doubt? Does God expect a person to accept the resurrection of Jesus as fact without proof?
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

2. I Corinthians 15:1-8 None of the witnesses are alive today. They did leave a deposition--their testimony in writing. How can this written testimony be proven genuine and credible? If you believe, what convinced you? Have you faced your doubts and sought confirmation that Jesus is alive?
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

3.  Luke 24:25-27, 36-49; Isaiah 55:6-7 What evidence did Jesus present to his followers? Is that evidence still available today?
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

4. Acts 17:10-12 What evidence did the Bereans examine?
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

5. Acts 17:16-34; Acts 16:14; John 6:43-51; I John 3:12-13 What evidence did Paul present to the philosophers of Athens? Why do you think some believed but others sneered at Paul’s testimony? 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

6. Luke 16:29-31 What did Jesus say a person must be able to do in order to be convinced?
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

7. Isaiah 52:13-Isaiah 53:1-12; Psalm 22; Genesis 3:15; 12:1-3 These are only a few of the prophetic references to an Anointed One who would save and bless all nations. Why should you believe these refer to Jesus? Can you know beyond a shadow of a doubt? Can you present convincing evidence to someone who really wants to know?
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

8. John 3:18-21 What is your verdict?